Members of Parliament last week highly commended Kanombe Military Hospital for its efficient delivery of service. They said it was an example that the health sector, which faces serious challenges in serving the public, must emulate.

The Government has heavily invested in the health sector; most hospitals have modern equipment, more than 90 percent of the population has medical insurance and all districts have more than one ambulance at their disposal.

Yet, according to the public and the MPs, some of the hospitals, especially referral ones, do not meet their expectations in spite of the heavy investment in terms of personnel, equipment and infrastructure.

It is for this reason that Kanombe Hospital, which is operated by the Rwanda Defence Forces, stands out for praise. It is another example of the excellence that the Rwandan military has come to represent.

Other hospitals would do us, and themselves, a big service if they learnt from Kanombe Hospital.

For the country to consolidate the gains of the heavy investment made in the health sector, there is need for an urgent change in the mind-set and ethics of those serving in such institutions. Efficient service delivery is part and parcel of the professional ethics of medical workers.

The Ministry of Health has hotlines to report cases of poor service delivery as part of concerted efforts to clean up the sector.

We will not settle for anything less. 

Ends